Zespri has made its first-ever air freight shipment of RubyRed kiwifruit to China, arriving on February 24, 2026, marking the first time New Zealand-grown kiwifruit has been available in China during the Lunar New Year period. The inaugural air freight cargo of approximately 92 tonnes arrived over the following week, with products distributed across major Chinese retail platforms including Pagoda, Hema, JD.com, Douyin, Meituan, Dingdong Maicai, and Ole. For the 2026 season, Zespri plans to supply 5.3 million standard tray equivalents globally, with approximately 2 million heading to Greater China, of which 26,000 trays will be air freighted.

The RubyRed variety, developed over 20 years of breeding, is rich in natural anthocyanins and Vitamin C.

佳沛于2026年2月24日首次以空运方式将宝石红奇异果运抵中国，这是新西兰产奇异果首次在中国春节期间上市。首批空运货量约92吨，在一周内陆续抵达，产品在百果园、盒马、京东、抖音、美团小象、叮咚买菜、Ole等平台销售。2026产季佳沛计划全球供应530万标准零售箱，其中约200万箱销往大中华区，空运2.6万箱。宝石红奇异果经过20多年培育，富含天然花青素和维生素C。

Zespri’s decision to air freight RubyRed kiwifruit to China represents a significant supply chain innovation that NZ food exporters should study closely. The premium pricing that RubyRed commands justifies the higher air freight costs, and the timing during Lunar New Year maximises consumer exposure. The growth from 1.5 million to 2 million trays for Greater China demonstrates strong demand momentum.

For other NZ premium fruit exporters, the key lesson is that supply chain innovation, such as air freight for seasonal products, can open new market windows and command premium positioning. The multi-platform distribution strategy across both traditional retail and e-commerce channels is also noteworthy. NZ fruit exporters should consider whether similar air freight strategies could work for their products during peak Chinese demand periods.

佳沛决定空运宝石红奇异果到中国，代表了新西兰食品出口商应密切关注的重大供应链创新。宝石红奇异果的高端定价足以支撑更高的空运成本，而春节期间的上市时机最大化了消费者曝光。大中华区供应量从150万箱增至200万箱，显示了强劲的需求势头。对其他新西兰高端水果出口商而言，关键启示是，供应链创新（如季节性产品的空运）可以打开新的市场窗口并获得高端定位。同时在传统零售和电商平台的多渠道分销策略也值得关注。新西兰水果出口商应考虑类似的空运策略是否适用于他们的产品在中国需求高峰期间。

Photo by AI on MiDeer Observer

Source: China.com.cn Business Channel

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